Today, I begin another journey. This time, it will
not be far from home. With the increase of travel costs, my trip can
only be as far as my wallet will allow. With the price of gasoline
reaching beyond an arm and a leg to both ears, an eye and several
teeth--not to mention a sickened stomach after paying, my journey will
reach only to the bordering counties of Calhoun.

That’s right. Over the next several weeks, I will
be taking an adventure into what tour books call “America’s Outdoor
Playground,” and what we affectionately call “Wild and Wonderful.”
Remember, I am a new resident of the “Almost Heaven” state, and I truly
can’t wait to become a pioneer into its wilderness.

As Anne of Green Gables would say, “I prefer the
sound of the wind in the firs across the brook more than the tinkling of
crystal.” Thus, my journey will not take me to places of elegance or
society. I will not be heading toward shopping malls, fancy boutiques,
or skyscrapers. My travels will be into the world of West Virginia’s
wilderness. I hope to discover outdoor treasures, wonders of the wild
kingdom, and mysteries of Mother Nature.

Friends, get ready to take yet another wonderful
journey into your very own backyard. On one tank of gas, $20 and a West
Virginia Almanac, I will find places of interest, parks, camping,
fishing, golfing and adventure. Summer is here and, as any teacher
knows, it is time to begin singing “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the
Year . . .”. Pack a picnic lunch, grab the sunscreen, and get ready for
a trip around Calhoun County.